Automatic ice cube maker



June 7, 1966 H. A. BRYssELBouT 3,254,501

AUTOMATIC ICE CUBE MAKER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 9, 1963 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent O 3,254,501 AUTOMATIC ICE CUBE MAKER Henri A. Brysselbout, York, Pa., assignor to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 9, 1963, Ser. No. 250,295 6 Claims. (Cl. 62-138) This invention relates to an automatic ice maker and more particularly to an automatic ice cube maker.

It is well known in the ice making art that water which is not in motion when frozen presents a cloudy appearance when frozen. For example, in the common household refrigerator, the water in the ice trays is stationary during the lowering of its temperature and when frozen has a somewhat cloudy or smoky appearance. While acceptable for household purposes, such ice cubes are unacceptable for commercial purposes such as in restaurants where it is desired to present to patrons clear ice for use in beverages or the like. In order to make clear ice, it is necessary to freeze the water while it is in motion and this requirement has presented numerous problems to fabricators of ice cube makers.

In a typical prior art ice cube maker construction for yielding clear ice for commercial purposes a series of tubes surrounded by cooling coils, and generally upright in position, receive water at their upper ends and the water is frozen at it drips or flows downwardly. While satisfactory for many installations, the requirement that the tubes be of appreciable length requires the device to be fairly high. In certain cases, it is desirable to have an ice making device which is low, as for example one that will lit conveniently behind and below the level of a counter or bar in a restaurant.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ice cube making machine which is compact and hence susceptible of use -in locations where only a small space is available. A

It is a further object of the `present invention to provide an ice making machine whichis fully automatic and which will continue to make ice cubes as long as the der mand continues or until a predetermined quantity hasE been made.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ice making machine wherein Water will be frozen while it is in motion to thereby form clear ice cubes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fully automatic ice cube maker wherein a plurality of rotating jets of water are directed upwardly into a plurality of refrigerated cavities in which the cubes are formed.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of the automatic ice cube making machine of this inventron.

FIGURE 2 is a partial cross-sectional View of the rotating water distributor of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the grid of FIGURE 1, together with heating and cooling coils associated therewith.

FIGURE 4 is a view along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a schematic View of the elements of the automatic ice cube maker of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is a curve illustrating the relationship of Water temperature with time during the initial cycle of the invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the numeral 10 denotes the automatic ice cube making machine according to the present invention and includes a generally rectangular pan having a sloping bottom portion 11 land a rear wall 12. The lower or rear end of the pan is provided with a water reservoir\13. A grill 14, preferably perforated, rests with its forward end on a portion ofthe front end of the pan and its rear end suitably supported on rear Wall 12. The forward end of thepan is denoted by the numeral 15 and includes a hinged gate 16 pivotable about Van axis normal to the plane of the drawing. A normally closed drain duct 17 is provided at the bottom of the water reservoir 13 and communicates with a solenoid valve 18, in turn communicating with an exit or sump. The solenoid valve 18 is actuated by a control denoted kby the numeral 19. An air trap 20 formed of an inverted cylindrical member having an elongated narrowed central .portion closed at its upper end and is positioned in the water reservoir over a stand pipe conduit 21 having a beveled top. The beveled top supports the trap 20 as illustrated. The beveled top of conduit 21 is open and located above the ood level, as indicated, and the conduit communicates with an air pressure switch 21a. The top of conduit 21 being higher than the flood level, water is precluded from ever entering the switch 21a, even should a malfunction result -in flooding the reservoir 13. Preferably, the weight of trap 20 is such that it never rises above its illustrated support position on the top of conduit 21. It may be readily removed for cleaning by merely lifting it from conduit 21.

The numeral 22 denotes another conduit at the bottom of water reservoir 13 and leads to an electrically driven water pump 23 whose output side communicates with vertical conduit 24. Conduit 24 extends upwardly through an aperture in the bottom surface 11 and terminates at its upper end in a bearing arrangement denoted generally lby the numeral 25. v

Referring now to FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the numeral 26 denotes an annular bushing located on the top of conduit 24 and having `a reduced portion provided with an O ring seal 27. The numeral 28 denotes an elongated annular bearing member Whose lower end fits over the reduced diameter portion of bushing 26 and is provided with a fplurality of aperture 29 at generally the same horizontal level. The numeral 30 denotes a hollow elongated trunnion preferably integral with rotating hub 31, the lower portion of the former abutting a seal 32 placed around the upper periphery of bearing annulus 28. The numeral 33 denotes a water distribution element in the form of a conduit closed at both ends and communieating with the interior portion of hub 31 and provided with a plurality of aligned foramina 34 at its top surface. An aperture 35 is provided at each end of distributor 33, on opposite diametrical sides, through which water horizontally jets out and produces rotation. One function of the illustrated construction of assembly 25 is to p preclude the complete displacement of water distributor 33 from its support in the event of a sudden surge of water pressure. In the event of a sudden surge of water pressure, the distributor 33 is forced upwardly until the bottom edge of trunnion 30 reaches a position slightly above apertures 29. At this position, the excess Water pressure is relieved by water flowing outwardly through apertures 29. With relief in the pressure surge, the water distributor 33 slides down to the illustrated position.

Referring again to FIGURE l of the drawings, the numeral 36 denotes the water input side of solenoid valve 37 whose output side communicates with tube 38, the latters end being curved and adapted to discharge into the water reservoir. Controller 39 actuates the valve 37. The input 36 may be coupled to any suitable source of Water.

The numeral 40 denotes generally a refrigeration circuit associated with the automatic ice cube mak'mg machine of this invention and includes a herme-tically sealed compressor 41, a condenser 42, a fan 43 adapted to circulate air over the condenser coils, a strainer-dehydrator 44- and a condui-t 45 extendingl from the compressor 41 Patented June 7, 1966 'agonal cell 51a.

,upwardly into the hexagonal cavities 51a.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings,

the numeral 49 denotes generally an ice forming evaporator assembly which includes a grid 50 made of a material, such as plastic, having low thermal conductivity and provided with a plurality of hexagonal or suitably shaped openings 50a. Cooperating with each of the openings 50a are a plurality of inverted, cup-shaped receptacles 51 having an open end of the same general shape as the openings in grid 50, said receptacles being made of a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity, such as copper. Each of the receptacles provides a cavity or cell 51a for freezing ice therein and has at its closed end a small aperture 52 to preclude the formation of a vacuum. The plastic grid 50 may be formed by injection molding and has a trench 50b surrounding each of the openings 50a and in which is laid electric resistance wire heating elements 53, which trench is then filled With a sealing, encapsulating plastic compound 54, bonding the plastic grid 50 to the copper receptacles 51 and at the same time encapsulating the heater elements 53. The heating elements are preferably of wire and surrounded by an insulating sheath.

A continuous evaporator tube 470, Vboth ends of which are connected to tubing 47 of FIGURE 1 and may be considered integral therewith, is placed in heat exchange relationship with the closed end or bottom of each hex- Tubing 55 which carries a heater element 56 therein is mounted in heat exchange relationship on the top of tubing 470. Preferably, solder 57 and 58 is used to maintain these elements in heat exchange relationship.

The operation of the device is as follows. The water pump 23 and refrigeration system 40 (by energization of compressor 41) commence their operation; and valve 37 is opened (by energization of solenoid 39) to admit water from a source which passes through conduit 38 and thence to reservoir 13. The water level in Water reservoir 13 rises to a predetermined level at which time the air pressure within air trap 20 reaches a predetermined value causing the actuation of air pressure switch 21a. Upon actuation, the switch 21a cuts ot the water intake by closing water charging solenoid valve 37 through actuator 39. The water pump 23, which begins running at the same time the refrigeration system 40 commences, withdraws water from the water reservoir 13 and passes it from conduit 22, through pump 23 and upwardly through conduit 24 to the water distributor 33.

The reaction of the water exiting in an initially horiin the water distributor 33 causes it to rotate. Water also issues from foramina 34 in a plurality of jets J As soon as the temperature in evaporator tube 470 reaches the d'esired level, evaporator thermostat 59, in thermal communication therewith, actuates switch 60 which in turn initiates a timer mechanism preferably in the form of a motor and cam with associated switches, although any `After a predetermined time, corresponding to the time empirically determined for the formation of a cube of ice in each cavity 51a, the refrigerating action of circuit 40 is discontinued, as is the operation of water pump 23.

Now, 'by virtue of the timing mechanism above referred "to, an electrical circuit energizes heating elements 53 and 56. Drain valve `18 is opened thus flushing any residual water left in water reservoir 13 and preparing the latter for a new cycle with completely new Water. Such flushing after each cycle precludes the large accumulation of salts, minerals and other undesirable substances in the water reservoir.

Upon energization of the heater elements 53 and 56, the ice cubes in cavities 51a suier a melting -over those portions therewith in contact with the interior surfaces .of the cavities and also those surfaces in contact with plastic grid 50. It will be noted that the openings 50a in plastic grid 50 form the skirt portions of the cavities 51a. This skirt portion is formed to slightly diverge away from the closed end of the cavity so that the surface engaged by the ice is, in effect, a continuation of the surface on the inside of the copper receptacle 51. The ice cubes fall out of the cavities, the apertures 52 precluding the formation of a vacuum between the bottom of the falling cube and the upper (closed) portion of each cavity. The cubes drop onto grill 14 and slide downwardly forcing flap 16 to open and pass the cubes. The inertia of the sliding cubes carries them beyond the plane of flap 16 and into a dispensing bin 61 where they remain until desired. In the event that the demand for the cubes is small, the cubes will accumulate in the storage bin until they reach a certain level, at which time they will contact the temperature sensing element 62 of a switch 63 extending across a portion of fbin 61. Upon actuation of switch 63 the ice making cycles are automatically discontinued.

Reference now to FIGURE 5 of the drawings further illustrates the above described cyclic operation of the device. The description will now be repeated, here making reference to the components illustrated at FIGURE 5. The main On-Off switch S1 is turned to the On position with storage bin control switch 63 in the illustrated normally closed position. A circuit is now established through contact CB of timer switch B and energizes the compressor 41. At the same time, Service Switch S2 allows water pump 23 to be energized. Also, water level switch 21a allows solenoid valve actuator 39 to be actuated thus initiating intake water to charge water reser- -voir 13. When the quantity of water in the reservoir reaches a predetermined amount, the water level switch opens thus de-energizing solenoid valve actuator 39 and closes water charging valve 37.

With water pump 23 in operation and the reservoir filled, the water distributor 33 initiates its revolution and sprays the plurality of jets upwardly into the ice cavities. Assuming an ambient temperature higher than the freezing point of water, a certain length of time must necessarily elapse before the temperature of evaporative tubing coil 470 lreaches a temperature sufiiciently low to initiate the formation of ice within the cavities 51. This is illustrated at FIGURE 6 of the drawings wherein the initial temperature sensed by thermal sensing element 59, in linear relationship with the temperature within the cavities 51, is at point 200 on the curve. With continued operation of the refrigerating system, the temperature sensed by 59 drops until it attains a value illustrated at 201 of FIGURE 6. At this time, temperature sensing element 59 senses a predetermined temperature, for example 6 F., and thermostat switch 60 now closes. This permits energization of timer motor 64. A predetermined period, for example 30 seconds, after the timer mot-or is energized, terminals T1 and T2 of Timer Switch A are joined lby arm CA on the timer switch which establishes a holding circuit around the evaporator thermostat switch 60 and the storage bin control switch 63, thus insuring continued operation of the timer motor 64 regardless of subsequent actuation of switch 60. This occurs at point 202 of FIGURE 6.

The cooling action on the refrigerating system 40 continues and the water distributor 33 .similarly continues its motion and after a predetermined time, for example 91/2 minutes, suitable cams secured to the timer motor 64 cause .the timer switch B to reverse arm CB placing it now yacross terminals T4 and T5. from terminal T3, energy to the compressor and water pump ceases and the resistance heaters 53 and 56, for the grid and evaporator tube respectively, are energized. Concurrently, drain control actuator 19 is energized through Service Switch S3 and solenoid valve 18 opens thus ushing any residual water in reservoir 13. These actions occur at point 203 -of FIGURE 6.

After a predetermined time, for example 2 minutes, arm CB of timer switch B moves away from contact T5 under the action `of the timer motor 64 and the grid heater 53 is de-energize'd. This corresponds to point 204 on the curve of FIGURE 6.

After another predetermined time, for example 1 minute, arm CB of timer switch B 'breaks contact T4 deenergizing evaporator tube heater 56 and again engages contact T3 and the compressor and water pump again initiate their operation. Similarly, the actuator 39 is again energized to supply a fresh charge of water to water reservoir 13. Timer switch A opens thus releasing the holding circuit for thermostat switch 60 and bin control switch 63. The timer motor 64 also stops, ending its complete program. This corresponds to a point 205 on the curve of PTGURE 6. The ice is completely harvested in the time interval corresponding to the diierence between points 204 and 205 of the curve of FIGURE 6.

The timer switch B is constructed so that motion of arm CB rst de-energizes plastic grid heating element 53 -before de-energizing evaporator tube heating element 56. Thus, a dangerously high temperature attainment in the plastic is precluded. Switch SH, Ain series with the heaters 53 and 56, may be located at any convenient point on the evaporator assembly 49 to preclude overheating, it

This arm having swung being understood that the .safety switch SH may'include a plurality of such switches placed at various points on the assembly 49 in the event of a local short circuit or the like which might cause local overheating.

The function `of service switches S2 and S3 is to enable partial operation of the machine, i.e,., operation of the water pump 23 and drain solenoid 19 without operation of the other elements, for servicing purposes.

I claim:

1. An automatic ice cube maker including a cavity, means to abstract heat from the cavity, a water distributor positioned adjacent the said cavity and `adapted to direct water therein, a Water pump in communication with said water distributor, a water reservoir in communication with said water pump, means to charge the said water reservoir, means to measure the quantity of water in said water reservoir, means for heating said cavity, draining means carried by said water reservoir, a timing mechanism, means for measuring the temperature of said cavity, said temperature measuring means initiating the heat abstracting means, said temperature measuring means also initiating operation of said water pump and said means to charge the said water reservoir, said temperature measuring means initiating operation of said timer mechanism upon the attainment of a predetermined temperature, said means to measure the quantity of water in said water reservoir being coupled to said means for charging the said water reservoir to discontinue charging upon the attainment of a predetermined quantity of water, means actuated by said timer mechanism for discontinuing operation of said heat abstracting means and said water pump and to initiate operation of said heating means, said means actuated by said timer mechanism also operating to actuate said means to empty said water reservoir, said means actuated by said timing mechanism operating, after a predetermined time, to discontinue operation of said heating means and to reinaugurate operation of said heat abstracting means, said Water pump and said means for charging the said water reservoir.

2. An automatic ice making machine comprising a grid formed of material having low thermal conductivity, said grid having aperture defining surfaces providing a plurality of openings; a plurality of inverted cupshaped receptacles formed of material having a high thermal conductivity, said receptacles having lower open ends cooperating with said grid openings and substantially closed upper ends, said aperture deiining surfaces providing skirt portions for the open ends of said receptacles, said aperture defining surfaces diverging outwardly along the planes of the inside surfaces of said receptacles; a plurality of resistance heating elements embedded in said grid adjacent the open ends of said receptacles; means for cooling lthe upper ends of said receptacles; means for spraying liquid water to be frozen into said receptacles; and means for supplying electrical energy toV said heating elements during a harvesting cycle.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including additional resistance heating elements adjacent the upper portion of said receptacles, said heating elements adapted to be energized during said harvesting cycle.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including a storage bin remote from the Zone underneath said grid; and means for deecting the ice, upon release by gravity from said receptacles, into said storage bin, whereby upon inauguration of a subsequent freezing cycle, the ice is not wetted by the water directed into the receptacles.

5. An automatic ice making machine comprising a grid formed of material having low thermal conductivity, said grid having aperture delining surfaces providing a plurality of openings; a plurality of inverted, cup-shaped receptacles formed of material having a high thermal conductivity, said receptacles having lower open ends cooperating with said grid openings and substantially closed upper ends, said aperture defining surfaces providing skirt portions for the open ends of said receptacles, Isaid aperture defining surfaces diverging outwardly along .the planes of the inside surfaces of said receptacles; a plurality of resistance heating elements embedded in said grid adjacent the open ends of said receptacles; means for cooling the upper ends of said receptacles; a rotary water distributor adapted to spray water into said receptacles during an ice freezing cycle; and temperature responsive means for discontinuing the supply of water during a subsequent ice harvesting cycle and also energizing said resistance heating elements to promote the release of ice from said receptacles.

6. Apparatus as `deiined in claim 5 including a water reservoir from which water is supplied to said rotary water distributor; and means for draining said water reservoir during the 4harvesting cycle to prevent accumulation of salts, minerals, and other undesirable materials in the reservoir.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,936,575 11/1933 Barrett et al 62-351 X 2,196,999 4/ 1940 Laughridge 137-3 89 X 2,323,701 7/ 1943 Barksdale 239-246 2,557,206 6/ 1951 Spender 239-246 2,586,410 2/ 1952 Williams 137-403 X 2,892,323 6/ 1959 Woodmark et al. 62-347 3,021,686 2/1962 Alt 62-347 X 3,043,117 7/ 1962 Bollefer 62-344 3,048,986 8/1962 Archer 62-347 X 3,062,018 11/ 1962 Baker 62-81 3,130,155 4/ 1964 Heskett 137-403 MEYER PERLIN, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Examiner. 

2. AN AUTOMATIC ICE MAKING MACHINE COMPRISING A GRID FORMED OF MATERIAL HAVING LOW THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY, SAID GRID HAVING APERTURE DEFINING SURFACES PROVIDING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS; A PLURALITY OF INVERTED CUP-SHAPED REEPTACLES FORMED OF MATERIAL HAVING A HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY, SAID RECEPTACLES HAVING LOWER OPEN ENDS COOPERATING WITH SAID GRID OPENINS AND SUBSTANTIALLY CLOSED UPPER ENDS, SAID APERTURE DEFINING SURFACES PROVIDING SKIRT PORTIONS FOR THE OPEN ENDS OF SAID RECEPTACLES SAID APERTURE DEFINING SURFACES DIVERGING OUTWARDLY ALONG THE PLANES OF THE INSIDE SURFACES OF SAID RECEPTACLES; A PLURALITY OF RESISTANCE HEATING ELEMENTS EMBEDDED IN SAID GRID ADJACENT THE OPEN ENDS OF SAID RECEPTACLES; MEANS FOR COOLING THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID RECEPTACLES; MEANS FOR SPRAYING LIQUID WATER TO BE FROZEN INTO SAID RECEPTACLES; AND MEANS FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL ENERGY TO SAID HEATING ELEMENTS DURING A HARVESTING CYCLE. 